The Sign of Flame

"The Sign of Flame" by E. Werner is a story set in the early 20th century, focusing on Hartmut Falkenried, a young man facing pressure from his father's high expectations and the complicated history surrounding his mother, Zalika. Her unexpected return threatens to change everything for Hartmut. The book explores his difficult journey to find himself and become independent while being pulled between his demanding military father and his mother's captivating personality. The story starts with a tense dinner where Hartmut's father and a friend talk about Hartmut's gifts and problems, highlighting the conflict between his father's control and Hartmut’s growing desire for freedom. As the story begins, it sets the scene at the Burgsdorf estate, showing Hartmut's struggles with his father's military rules and the shadow of his mother’s past. Themes of family loyalty, love, and the consequences of past choices appear, drawing readers into Hartmut's world and his search for freedom in tough times.